What Time is It?

Matthew 25:1-13

Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.

They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:

But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.

And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.

Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.

And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.

But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.

And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.

Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.

But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

What Time Is It?

This parable used to seem so cold to me. Verses 11 and 12 in particular seemed so harsh. After all, the five foolish girls did at least set themselves aside. They just didn’t consider the consequences of procrastination.

But there is a line of compassion that I was over looking. All ten young women had the same opportunity with the bridegroom - the exact same opportunity.

Everyone knew what had to be done. Everyone had access to the necessary tools. They all knew that the Bridegroom was coming. Everyone had been trained how to respond to the call. Five acted on all of the information. Five choose to hear, act on some, but not act on all of the information.

When the time came to respond to the call, the five wise virgins were prepared and went on with the Bridegroom into relationship. The five foolish ones had used their oil for their lamps for their own interests and not for their intended purpose. In the end, they tried, in vain, to make up for lost time and squandered resources and found themselves not only without relationship, but barred from the house.

The Word reminds us in Ecclesiastes that “To everything there is a season, a time to every purpose under the sun.” Everything that God created has a rhythm. The seasons, the animals, even the tides of the ocean operate in a precise rhythm. Place your hand on your chest, and you can feel the tempo of your own rhythm.

Everything has a time. Summer flowers don’t bloom in the snow. Salmon don’t spawn until it’s time for them to take their life ending swim. Babies are born after a process of time. From Adam, to Abraham, to David, to Jesus to you, there has been a carefully appointed time for everyone.

This, dear one, is your time. You have a purpose, if you’ll forgive the pun, ‘under the Son’ that is assigned uniquely to you. We are all a part of the Body of Christ, but you still have a peculiar role to fulfill. It’s YOUR time, right now. Whether you are 8 or 80, you have a time and it’s now.

You’ve been given the same opportunity as those in ministry around you. You have all that you need because your Father promised to supply all your need. The Word was given for our study and understanding and is full of the information you need. But, you have to choose to act. Like the virgins in the passage, you can use the time wisely, or use your tools improperly and then scramble to do the right thing in the wrong time.

The question is a simple one. Are you foolish or wise? Will you redeem the time or will you let it pass and try to make it all right at the last minute? Will you study now or will you try to cram when the Bridegroom comes? Will you work now, or will you find yourself on the wrong side of the door?

If you are in a ministry but not active; get active. If you are ‘looking for a church’, and you’re in the Atlanta area, you’ve found one through these messages. You are welcome at Fellowship.

What time is it? It’s time to be wise.

Peace and love.

Sis. Stephanie Robinson

Lifeline is the evangelistic ministry of Fellowship Church in Jonesboro, GA.
The church website is www.fcchosengeneration.com.

Feel free to share this message. For questions or to subscribe, send an email to fellowship_lifeline@yahoo.com. You can reach the church at chosen.gen@att.net.

Fellowship Church
Where Passions Become Reality
Because you are a CHOSEN GENERATION!
455 Hwy 138, Ste C
Jonesboro, GA 30238
Alton Watkins, Pastor